May 18, 2023 at 2:31 p.m.
Donald "Breezy" Reed
Donald "Breezy" Reed
Don was born on April 4, 1936, in Rhinelander, to Carlton and Mary Reed.
He graduated from Rhinelander Union High School in 1954 where he was a standout in football, basketball, and tennis, played drums in the band, and was the center of attention wherever he went. Don had a passion for trains, which led him to work for the Soo Line riding all around Northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
In 1958 he married Dianne Jones from Rhinelander and in 24 years together they had five children: Jeffrey, Donald John, Angela, Christina and Rebecca.
Don enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958 and trained as an Armor Crewman. He went to Officer Candidate School and became an Army Reserve Armor officer.
Don spent two years in South Vietnam on two separate deployments, one training South Vietnamese Rangers and the second assisting in the writing of the military's "exit plan" with MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam). A portion of his service was as the Post XO of, at the time, Camp McCoy.
He retired as a Major with 20-plus years of service and was one of the few Army Reserve officers who completed their entire time on active duty. Don was active in the Rhinelander VFW and American Legion and held leadership positions several times.
Don was an adventurous man who enjoyed exploring different hobbies throughout his life. While in Vietnam he obtained his brown belt in taekwondo.
He was incredibly creative and artistic, which showed in all the things he created throughout his lifetime. Some of his most loved hobbies were woodworking, painting, jewelry making and sewing/quilting; however, if there was something creative to be explored Don definitely did it.
He had an extensive model train collection and throughout the years shared his model railroading hobby with anyone he encountered.
He was a Certified Master Gardener with a neon green thumb who could breathe life back into any living plant and designed beautiful garden landscapes everywhere he lived with ease. He loved to entertain and spent many hours dazzling the young and old alike with his magic prowess.
He loved riding his Harley-Davidson around the country, rode with the Legion Riders and Northern Lights HOG chapter, and made many special connections with other riders.
Don is survived by his children Jeff (Lisa) Reed of Virginia, Angie (Ryan) Kabat of Alaska, Chris Reed and Rebecca Reed of Wisconsin; his grandchildren Jeffrey and Josh Reed, Marcus Reed, Noah Monroe, Dylan, Madalynn and Layne Roeser, Annika Kabat; several great-grandchildren; his dear "Angels" Scott & Vicki Patterson and Gary Lee; his trusty K9 sidekick Spike and many friends.
He is preceded in death by Dianne Reed, his longtime companion Mary Criel, son Donald John Reed, and siblings Reginald Glen "Buck," Mona, and Dale.
Visitation for Don will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at noon, all at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church.
Father Chris Kemp will be officiating.
Interment will be in the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Private condolences for Don's family may be left at www.carlsonfh.com.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Reed family.
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